Perforators



Jan. 28, 1964 w. H. DREYER 3,119,295

PERFORATORS- Filed Oct. s, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 VIII/Ill].

W. H. DREYER Jan. 28, 1964 PERFORATORS V 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 8,1958 Jan. 28, 1964 w. H. DREYER 3,119,295

PEERFORATORS Z? tlmvshrrcm Qfiniqm ZD gyer ALI-hali- W34 W. H. DREYERPERFORATORS Jan. 28, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 8, 1958 W. H.DREYER Jan. 28, 1964 PERFORATORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .F'iled Oct. 8, 1958'lllilllrlrllllllllm n United States Patent 3,119,295 PERFORATORSWilliam H. Dreyer, Skokie, Ill., assignor to Cummms- Chicago Corp.,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 8, 1958, Ser. No.766,044 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-290) The invention relates to machines forperforating sheets of paper, cards and comparable sheet material andmore particularly to an improved machine in which the perforatingoperation is carried out while the sheet or card is moving through themachine.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved perforatingmachine capable of operating at a substantially higher speed thanperforators heretofore available and which is very smooth and quite inoperation.

Another object is to provide a machine which perforates cleanly withoutbradding, burring or tearing the sheet material perforated.

A more specific object is to provide an improved rotary punch and diemechanism which is simple in construction, efiicient in operation andparticularly well adapted for high speed operation.

Still another object is to provide an improved die for perforatingmachines.

A further object is to provide a perforating machine which affordspositive and accurate control over the location of the perforations.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodimentillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- FIGURE 1 is afragmentary side view of a perforating machine embodying the features ofthe invention, portions of the housing being broken away to showinternal details.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the feedmechanism for the machine.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in a plane substantially onthe line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the machine with the feed mechanismremoved and portions of the frame and other parts broken away to showdetails.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through the punch and diemechanism of the machine on a somewhat enlarged scale.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the punch and die elements ona still larger scale.

FIG. 6a is a fragmentary plan view of the die plate showing the platearranged for perforating one type of indicia.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken in a plane substantially on the line7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7a is a fragmentary sectional view through the clutch taken in aplane substantially on the line 7a7a of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned side view of the stop pawl mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken in a plane substantially on the line9-9 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in offset planessubstantially on the line 10-10 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a partially sectioned side view of the ink roll supportingstructure.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the trip switch assembly.

FIG. 13 is a simplified wiring diagram of the machine.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary end View of the date stamp.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the dating unit.

While a preferred form of the machine has been shown by way ofillustration, there is no intention to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed but the intention is to cover allmodifications and adaptations falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as more broadly or generally expressed in the appended claims.

General For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown asembodied in a machine for cancelling or otherwise marking bank checks,business machine cards and comparable documents by perforating suitableindicia therein. Perforation is effected by a punch and die mechanism 10(FIGS. 4, 5 and 9) to which the documents are supplied in succession bya feed mechanism 11. Mechanism indicated generally at 12 is alsoprovided for printing dates or other indicia on the documentssimultaneously with the perforation. The Various mechanisms are drivenby an electric motor M which, along with suitable controls, is supportedon a rigid frame structure 13. A housing 14- encloses the motor andother elements of the perforator except the feed mechanism 11, which ismounted for convenient access at the upper front end of the housing.

Perforating Mechanism In accordance with one aspect of the invention thepunch and die mechanism 10 is constructed and arranged in a novel mannerto enable it to perforate documents in motion. More particularly, theperforation is effected while the documents are in course of transferfrom a feed hopper 15 constituting a part of the feed mechanism to areceiving chamber 16 conveniently located in the housing 14. To thisend, the punch and die mechanism 10 comprises a cylindrical punchcarrier 20 and a cylindrical die carrier 21 supported for rotation onspaced parallel axes and driven in precisely timed relationship.

In the exemplary perforator the punch carrier 20' is fixed to a shaft 22as by a pin 23 (FIG. 5). This shaft is journalled in antifrictionbearings 24 having spring biased spacers 24' to preclude end play. Inthis instance, one bearing is provided on each side member of the frame13 and a third is carried by a fore and aft upstanding web 25constituting a part of the frame. The shaft is rotatably driven by themotor M through clutch mechanism 26 described hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the die carrier 21 is mounted on a shaft 27and secured to it by a pin 28. This shaft is likewise journalled inthree antifriction bearings 29 having spring biased spacers 29. Theouter bearings are carried on the frame 13 and the central bearing iscarried on a support post 30 suitably attached to the frame.

To insure synchronism in the rotation of the punch and die shafts and toavoid any misalinement due to wind-up of either shaft, the shafts arecoupled together at both ends by intermeshing gears 31 and 32 fixed tothe respective shafts. To provide for accurate timing and to eliminatebacklash the gears are of composite construction. Thus, each gear 32 hasan annular toothed ring, mounted adjacent and angularly adjustablerelative to the toothed portion of the gear. Clamping screws 33 serve tolock the ring and gear in adjusted positions. The gear 31, as shown,comprises a toothed ring mounted on and adjustable angularly relative toa hub portion 34 which is keyed or otherwise nonrotatably fixed to theshaft. Clamping screws 35 extending through arcuate slots in the toothedportion of the gear permit limited relative adjustment of the parts andserve to clamp them securely in adjusted positions.

The punch carrier 20 is adapted to carry one or more sets of punches 40,each set being arranged to perforate a letter, numeral or any otherdesired symbol. For mounting the punches, the carrier is formed withappropriate groups of holes opening in its peripheral face and extendinginto an annular channel 41 presented in one end face of the carrier. Thepins are inserted in the holes and locked in place by filling thechannel with a plastic material that becomes relatively hard or withsolder or other low melting point metal as indicated at 42.

The die carrier 21 has a cylindrical body which carries an annular dieplate 45 of steel or other suitable hard material. The die plate isformed with groups of punch receiving holes 46 suitably alined forcooperation with the punches 40 and, of course, like the punches,grouped to form a desired symbol. It will be understood, of course, thatthe punches and the holes may be arranged in any desired pattern toprovide the particular symbol required as, for example, the letters PAIDas shown in FIG. 6a.

As shown in FIGS. and 6, the carrier body is formed with a plurality ofholes 47 alined with the holes in the die plate for receiving the slugs48 punched out by the punches in their passage through a document andthe die plate. The holes 47 open into an annular chamber 49 formed inthe die carrier which in turn opens in the face of the carrier toregister with an annular chamber 50 formed in the bearing post 30. Thelatter chamber has an outlet 51 opening to a horizontal passage definedby a tube 52 (FIG. 4) for discharging the collected slugs into areceiving tray 53 or other suitable receptacle provided at one side ofthe housing 14. A pin 54 mounted on and rotatable with the carrier 21projects into the chamber 50 to stir up the accumulated slugs and insuretheir movement into the outlet 51. To move the slugs along the tube 52,there is provided a feed screw 55, herein shown as comprising ahelically coiled stiff wire. The feed screw is anchored at its outer endto a stub shaft 56 rotatably supported adjacent the outer end of thetube 52 and driven by a pinion 57 from the gearing coupling the shafts22 and 27.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the punches 40 and dieplate 45 are constructed in a novel manner which enables them to punchcleanly without bradding, embossing or tearing the sheet material. Forthis purpose, the holes 46 in the die plate are formed with a lip attheir outer ends accurately dimensioned to receive the ends of thepunches 40 with a sufficiently tight fit to produce a shearing action asthe punches enter the holes. inwardly of this lip the holes are enlargedas at 58 to insure passage of the punched slugs 48 into the holes 47 inthe carrier. In the particular die plate shown, the dimensioned lips orpunching portions of the holes 46 have a depth approximately one-halfthe diameter of the holes.

The punches 40, which may be constructed of the usual hardened punchwire, have their outer projecting ends formed to provide a sharp cuttingedge 60, usually circular in contour. This cutting edge is backed by anarrow land 61 which is separated from the main body of the pin by agroove 62. Preferably the groove has one wall disposed substantiallynormally to the axis of the pin and the adjacent wall inclined at anangle to provide a relatively long tapered neck between the body of thepin and the land 61 adjacent the cutting edge.

The groove 62 formed in each punch 40 affords the relief required topermit the cutting edge of the punch to pass through the card beingperforated and cut the material against the edge of the die hole with aclean shearing action without deforming the edges of the perforated holein the rotation of the punch and die carriers. In other words, theconstruction referred to permits the punch cutting edge and die hole tobe fitted precisely for clean cutting and yet affords clearance for theentry and exit of the punch elements through the holes in the card withthe axes of the punches disposed at substantial angles to the card orsheet being perforated.

The punch and die carrier shafts 22 and 27 are ro tated intermittentlyin timed relation to the presentation to the mechanism of the sheetmaterial to be perforated.

In the exemplary perforator the shafts and carriers mounted thereon aredriven through one-half of a revolution in each operating cycle. Suchintermittent or cyclic rotation is effected through the clutch mechanism26 which may be of any suitable type. The improved clutch incorporatedin the exemplary perforator and the associated controls are described indetail hereinafter. For present purposes, it is sufficient to note thatthe clutch mechanism includes a driving element 65 rotatably supportedon the shaft 22 and a driven element 66 nonrotatably fixed to the shaft22 adjacent one end of the driving element.

The driving element 65 is continuously driven in this instance by a pairof V-belts 67 from a pulley 68 journalled on a countershaft 69 supportedon a subframe 70 suitably secured to the main frame 13. A pulley 71,which may be formed integral with or rigidly attached to the pulleys 68,is driven by a pair of V-belts 72 from a pulley 73 keyed or otherwisenonrotatably fixed to the shaft 74 of the motor M. This countershaftarrangement is provided for stepping down the speed of the drivingclutch member with respect to the motor speed.

Engagement and disengagement of the clutch 26 is controlled by a stoppawl mechanism 75 to be described in detail later on. The pawl mechanismnormally occupies a position effective to disengage the clutch. Toengage the clutch the pawl is retracted in this instance by a solenoidSOL energized under control of a switch mechanism 76 actuated by thesheets to be perforated as they approach the perforating mechanism 10.

Feed Mechanism While any suitable type of feed mechanism may be utilizedfor feeding sheet material to the punch mechanism, the feed mechanism 11shown is generally similar to that disclosed in the Mentzer patent, No.2,813,717, issued November 19, 1957. When the machine is to be employedfor handling checks, business machine cards and similar sheets ordocuments of relatively small generally uniform dimensions, the feedhopper 15 is appropriately dimensioned to hold a stack of the sheets invertical edgewise position. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, the hopper 15has a downwardly sloping platform 80 supported on the frame 13 with itslower end adjacent and slightly above the die carrier 21.

To provide for the accommodation of sheets of different length and topermit different selected areas of the sheets to be presented to theperforating mechanism, the hopper is equipped with adjustable side walls81 and 82. The side walls, which may conveniently comprise stiff sheetmetal members or plates, are supported for adjustment laterally of thehopper by a rod 83 extending transversely across the top of the machineand suitably mounted on brackets 84 upstanding from the machine frame.As shown in FIG. 2, each of the wall members is apertured to accommodatethe rod 83 and alined with each aperture is a sleeve 85 welded orotherwise rigidly secured to the wall member. The sleeves serve to holdthe wall members upright while allowing them to slide axially of the rod83. Thus, either or both of the wall members may be positionedtransversely of the perforating mechanism to accommodate documents of aparticular size and to accurately locate the area in which the indiciais to be punched.

As perforating machines of the character shown are frequently called onto handle large batches of sheets of one or more standardized sizes,provision is made for releasably retaining the wall members in selectedpositions conforming to the most frequently used sizes. While theretaining means may comprise clamping screws or the like if desired, Ihave shown the retaining means in the form of a yieldable detent (FIG.3) in which a metal ball 86 slidable in a recess 87 in the sleeve 85 isyieldably urged against the rod 83 by a spring 83. The rod may be 5formed with suitably spaced depressions or notches 89 for cooperationwith the ball.

With the wall members 81 and 82 properly adjusted, a stack of sheets 90placed in the hopper 15 as shown in FIG. 1 is held in place by avertically disposed front plate 91 fixed to the hopper adjacent thelower end of the feed platform. A back plate 92 supported for movementforwardly and rearwardly by any suitable means such as a carriage 93engages the rear of the stack and holds the sheets firmly against thefront plate. In the exemplary machine, the carriage. 93 is supported andguided by rollers 34 running on an inclined track 95 assembled with thefeed platform. The carriage is urged forwardly by a spring 96 tocompensate for the removal of successive sheets from the front of thestack.

Mounted forwardly of the front plate with its peripheral edge extendingthrough an opening 97 in :the plate is a feed roller 98 of rubber orother suitable material having circumferentially spaced projections orribs 9?. The feed roll is mounted on a shaft 100 extending transverselyacross the machine frame above and parallel to the shaft 27. Preferablythe shaft is supponted by brackets 98 suitably mounted on the machineframe. When the perforator is in operation, the feed roll shaft 100 isdriven continuously from the driven clutch element. The drive, in thisinstance, includes a toothed pulley 101 (FIGS. 1 and 4) fixed to androtatable with the driven clutch element 65. This pulley is connected bya notched belt 1112 with a similarly notched pulley 1% rigidly securedto a transverse shaft 104 journaled n the machine frame. A pinion 105 onthe shaft 1114 drives an idler gear 106 journaled on the machine frame,which, in turn, drives a pinion 107 keyed to the feed roll shaft 169'.

With the above arrangement the feed roll 98 rotates continuously tostrip successive sheets 91) from the stack in the hopper and to feedthem toward the punch and die mechanism. Each sheet, as it approachesthe punch and die mechanism, initiates the engagement of the clutch 26to drive the mechanism through a punching cycle. This is done throughthe medium of the switch mechanism '76 which is actuated by a trip lever108 positioned for engagement by the sheet as it is fed from the hopper.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 10 and 12, the trip switch mechanism 76 is enclosedin a casing 1119 supported on the machine frame forwardly of the shaft1114. Trip lever 108, herein shown as an elongated metal finger, iswelded or otherwise fixed to and projects radially from a shaft 1118'suitably journaled on the casing with the finger extending into the pathof the sheet as it is advanced by the feed mechanism as shown in FIG.10. A second arm or finger 1119' fixed to the shaft 108' extendsradially therefrom for coaction with the actuator 110' for the switchmechanism 76.

To effect movement of the sheets to the punch and die mechanism withoutslippage and to insure their presentation of the proper area to thepunches, provision is made for positively advancing the sheets deliveredby the feed roll 98. As herein shown, the sheets are carried through theperforating zone by a pair of feed belts 110 (FIGS. and running overpulleys 111 on the driven shaft 104 and pulleys 112 mounted on a shaft113. The shaft 104 is suitably supported on the machine frame 13 aboveand substantially midway between the shafts 22 and 27. The shaft 113 isalso supported on the frame 13 below and slightly to the right of theshaft 27 as viewed in FIG. 10. The positioning of the pulleys 111 and112 is such that the intermediate portions of the belts 119 engage asubstantial area of a pair of guide rolls 115 rotatably supported on theshaft 27 on opposite sides of the die roll 21 as shown in FIG. 5.

The belt supporting pulleys and guide rolls are spaced apart laterallyso as to grip the sheets 90 at opposite sides of the punch and diemechanism and to advance them in a straight path for accurate locationof the areas to be perforated. To prevent deflection or bending of thesheets by engagement with the trip lever and to maintain the sheet flatduring entry and withdrawal of the punches, a split finger or baffie 116 of nylon or other suitable material is positioned to press the sheetsagainst the die roll on opposite sides of the punches and in thevicinity of the lever as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. In the exemplaryembodiment, the finger 116 is supported by a resilient metal bracket 117mounted on the frame structure.

Movement of the sheets by the belts is accurately timed with respect tothe operation of the perforating mechanism since the belt driving shaft104 and feed roll shaft 100 are driven by a common driving train fromthe driving member of the clutch 26 which drives the perforatingmechanism. Idler pulleys 120 (FIG. 10) sup ported on brackets 121pivoted on the shaft 113 engage the intermediate portions of the belts110 to maintain them properly tensioned for feeding purposes.

Ironing Mechanism The smooth even feed provided by the above mechanismcoupled with the position punching by the mechanism 1b insures clean andaccurate perforation of the sheets 94 To remove any slight bradding orembossing of the sheets incident to their perforation, each sheet iscarried under an ironing roll 125 (FIG. 10) before it is discharged intothe receiving hopper 16. The ironing roll presses the perforated area ofthe sheet firmly against a backup roll 126 on the shaft 113 and thuseffectively smooths out any irregularities in the sheet.

As shown in FIG. 10, an ironing roll 125 is rotatably supported by ashaft 127 adjacent one end of a bracket 128 pivoted at 129 on a framemember 130 to swing toward and from the backup roll. A coiledcompression spring 131 acting between the frame and the bracket urgesthe ironing roll firmly against the backup roll. By pressing the bracket128 upwardly against the action of the spring 131, the ironing roll 125may be brought into contact with the die plate 45 on the carrier 50' toburnish the plate and thereby remove any irregularities from the cuttingedges of the die holes.

I n king Mechanism To make the perforated indicia easily readableprovision is made for applying a light coating of printing ink orcomparable marking medium to the tips of the punches 40. Accordingly, asthe punches pass through the sheets 90 a light application of ink isleft around each hole to make it stand out for visual checking.

The inking means, in its preferred form as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11,comprises an ink reservoir forming structure having side members 132supporting at their forward ends an ink applying roller 133. Thereservoir structure is supported on a flat transverse member 134 of theframe through the medium of a bracket having upstanding arms 135 spacedapart to fit between the extended ends of the side members 132 of thereservoir. Pins 136 project laterally from the arms 135 and engage innotches 137 in the side members to retain the reservoir in place.Tension springs 133 connected between the bracket and the ends of across bar 139 extending across the reservoir and engaging in notches141) in the side members 132 urge the reservoir structure in a directionto press the ink roller 133 against the tips of the punches 41!.

To regulate the pressure between the ink roller and the punches, thelimit position of the roller is determined by an adjustable stop screw141. As shown in FIG. 11, the screw is threaded through a laterallyprojecting lug 142 on one of the side members of the reservoirstructure. The lower end of the stop screw engages the upper face of thesupporting bracket and consequently determines. the position in whichthe ink roller is held by the springs 138. A lock nut 143 threaded onthe stop screw provides for securely locking the parts in adjustedpositions.

Perforator Drive In accordance with another aspect of the invention theclutch 26 which drives the punch and die mechanism intermittently asabove described, is constructed and arranged to provide smooth quietoperation with a minimum of shock incident to the sudden stopping of therotating parts at the end of each cycle. The clutch is also designedwith a particular view of providing dependable, troublefree service overlong periods of continuous use.

As previously described in a general way, the clutch 26 includes adriving element 65 and a driven element 66. The element 65 as shown inFIG. 4 comprises a cylindrical body 145 having peripheral grooves 146 inits outer surface for accommodation of the driving V-belt 67, therebeing two such grooves in the exemplary embodiment. At one end, the body145 has an extension 147 of reduced diameter upon which the pulley 101is nonrotatably fixed. A central bore 148 through the body of theextension provides for the reception of a pair of flanged bearingsleeves 149 by which the clutch element is rotatably supported on theshaft 22.

Fixed to the end of the clutch body 145 opposite the extension 147 is acup-shaped housing 150. In the exemplary clutch the housing is seated ina recess in the face of the clutch body and is secured to it by screws156. The housing extends over and encloses a cam 151 keyed to the shaft22 and secured against axial movement on the shaft by a set screw or thelike. As will be seen by reference to FIGS. 4 and 7a of the drawings,the internal diameter of the housing is somewhat greater than theexternal diameter of the cam. The cam 151, which is generallycylindrical, has a series of uniformly spaced flattened faces 152 formedon its peripheral surface, there being five such faces in the exemplaryclutch. The surfaces 152 are spaced from the inner wall of the housingso as to provide clearance for a series of rollers 153, each of whichhas a diameter slightly greater than the clearance between the outerface of the cam and the inner face of the housing. Accordingly, whenunrestrained, the rollers tend to move along the surface when thehousing is rotated and exert a wedging action on the cam effective todrivingly couple the housing and clutch element 65 to the cam and shaft22.

To permit engagement or disengagement of the clutch at will, means isprovided for releasably restraining the following movement of therollers 153, thereby preventing them from effecting the drivingengagement as before explained. The restraining means in its preferredform comprises a cage 155 in the form of a cylindrical body looselymounted on the shaft 22 and having a series of axially projectingfingers 156 extending between the wedge rollers 153. A sleevelikeextension 157 of the cage projecting oppositely from the fingers carriesa coiled torsion spring 158 anchored at one end to the cage and at theother end to a collar 159 rigidly secured to the shaft 22 as by a setscrew 160. By appropriate location of the collar, a load is applied tothe spring 158 tending to rock the cage in a direction to engage theclutch.

Provision is made for interrupting the rotation of the cage to disengagethe clutch and stop the shaft 22. When the cage is thus stopped thespring 158 is tensioned to condition it for rocking the cage to clutchengaging position upon release. For this purpose, the cage is fittedwith a stop ring 161 (FIGS. 4, 7a and 8) nonrotatably secured to thecage as by interengaging toothed and notched surfaces. As herein shown,the stop ring is secured in place on the cage by split retaining rings162.

In the exemplary clutch, the stop ring 161 is fitted with two outwardlyprojecting teeth or stop dogs 163 preferably in the form of inserts ofhard material such as tungsten carbide. The dogs are mounted so as topresent diametrically alined stop surfaces for alternate engagement withan abutment presented by a stop pawl 165 forming a part of the pawlmechanism 75. Thus, the

pawl when interposed in the path of either dog effectively interruptsthe rotation of the stop ring and cage and retains the latter in a restposition against the torque exerted on the cage by the spring 158. Theclutch 26 is therefore maintained disengaged.

W'hile stop pawl mechanism of any preferred type may be employed, themechanism of the improved machine is constructed and arranged tominimize shock incident to interruption of the rotation of the shaft 22and disengagement of the clutch 26. The mechanism which carries the pawlis mounted so that the pawl can be swung into or out of the pathdescribed by the dogs 163 to intercept or release the cage as desired.As shown in FIG. 8, the pawl 165 is carried by a pivoted arm or lever166 in the form of an elongated metal bar having a transverse hole atone end fitted with a bushing 167 by which it is pivotally supported ona shaft 168 suitably mounted on the machine frame. Extending axiallythrough the bar is a stepped bore 169 slidably seating the pawl 165herein shown as a headed pin. The pin projects from the small diametersection of the bore beyond the end of the bar and has its head slidablein the large diameter section of the bore. The pivot shaft 168 for thearm 166 is located so that in the retracted or stop position of the pawlmechanism, the projecting end of the pin 165 is disposed in the path ofthe dogs 163 and thus effective to intercept the dogs in the rotation ofthe clutch cage.

To absorb the shock incident to the sudden stopping of the rotatingparts, pin 165 is resiliently urged to its intercepting position. Forthat purpose, the large diameter portion of the bore in the bar 166 isclosed off by the bushing 167 and between the bushing and the head ofthe pin is interposed a resilient shock absorber. While the shockabsorber may comprise a heavy compression spring if desired, it has beenshown here as a pad 171 of rubber or other suitable material.Accordingly, when the end of the pin is engaged by the dog 163 todisengage the clutch, the shock absorber, in this instance, the pad 171,effectively absorbs the shock imposed on the pin.

The pawl 165 is normally held in clutch disengaging position by a spring172 connected between an anchoring post 173 on the machine frame and apost 174 projecting laterally from the bar 166 as shown in FIG. 8.Withdrawal of the pawl to engage the clutch is effected by the solenoidSOL. As shown in FIG. 7, the solenoid is mounted at one side of the pawlmechanism and its armature 175 is pivotally connected to a link 176which in turn is pivotally connected to an extension of the bar 166. Theextension is formed in this instance by a pair of side plates 177disposed on opposite sides of the bar bar and riveted or otherwiserigidly secured to it.

The improved perforator may utilize any suitable control circuit. Theexemplary perforator has been shown equipped with a novel controlcircuit similar to that disclosed in the copending application of JamesL. Quinn, Serial No. 810,411, filed May 1, 1959, now Patent No.3,074,525, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 13 of the drawings, it will be observed that the switchmechanism 76 comprises a switch having a movable member normallyengaging a contact 178 and adapted to swing away from that contact andengage another contact 179 upon actuation by the switch lever 108. Themovable switch member is connected to a capacitor 180 and, when engagedwith the contact 178, it connects the capacitor 180 across the supplyline conductors L1, L2 in series with a resistance 181, a rectifier 182and a manually operable switch S. Line L1, L2 supply electric current tothe perforator. Switch S, which is the main switch, is closed manuallywhen the perforator is placed in operation. It completes the operatingcircuit for the motor M as shown and the motor runs continuously whenthe switch is closed. Closure of switch S also completes a circuitthrough the switch contacts 178 by which the capacitor 130 receives acharge of current.

Upon actuation of the movable switch member into engagement with thecontact 179, the capacitor 180 is connected to discharge through thewinding of the solenoid SOL which energizes momentarily to retract thepawl 165. Upon such retraction the clutch cage 155 is instantly rockedby the spring 158 to clutch engaging position and the dog 163 is shiftedsufficiently to allow the pawl to return to clutch disengaging positionwithout interfering with the operation of the clutch. The clutch isengaged to drive the shaft 22 and as the shaft completes ahalfrevolution constituting, in this instance, a full cycle, itsrotation must be stopped instantly. Accordingly, at the end of thishalf-revolution, the pawl 165 intercepts the companion dog 163 todisengage the clutch and terminate the cycle.

The control system also includes means for shutting off the machine incase the card or other document gets out of step with the perforatingmechanism as it is advanced by the feed mechanism. For this purpose, asecond trip arm 211 (FIG. is positioned for engagement by the edge ofthe document upon movement of the same through a predetermined distance.The arm 211 is fixed to a shaft 212 pivoted on the machine frame whichhas a second arm 213 engageable with the actuator 214 of a switch 215.As shown in FIG. 13, the switch 215 has a movable switch member 216normally engaging a stationary contact 217. When the arm 211 is engagedby a card or the like, member 216 is shifted into engagement with astationary contact 213.

In the control circuit shown, contact 217 is connected through aresistance 219 to the rectifier 182 in parallel with contact 178 ofswitch 26. Switch member 216 is connected to a capacitor 220 which isaccordingly charged when the switch member is in its normal restposition. Movement of the switch member to its alternate positionconnects the capacitor to the movable member of a switch 221 operated bya timing cam 222. The movable member 223 of the switch is engageablealternately with a pair of stationary contacts 224 and 225. Contact 224is connected to one terminal of a relay 226 which has its other terminalconnected to line conductor L2. Contact 225 is connected to one terminalof a resistor 227 which has its terminal connected to line conductor L2.

The timing cam is mounted on and rotatable with the driven shaft 22. Itis shaped and positioned on the shaft so that it swings the switchmember 223 away from contact 224 and into engagement with contact 225 atthe instant the card reaches the arm 213 when its movement is properlysynchronized with the rotation of the punch and die members.Accordingly, when the card is in the correct position for perforatingcapacitor 220 is connected to dissipate its charge through the resistor227 and the machine continues in its normal operating cycle.

If the card to be perforated is out of step with the punch and diemechanism, the condenser discharge circuit through contact 218 will becompleted while switch member 223 is in engagement with contact 224. Thecondenser discharge will therefore energize relay 226 which, onenergizing opens switch contact 223 to interrupt the current supply forthe main driving motor M and other elements of the perforator. Relay 226closes contacts 225? to complete a holding circuit for itself.Accordingly, the perforator stops and remains inoperative until therelay 226 is released by opening a manually operable reset switch 230,which, of course, is deferred until the out of step card has beenremoved from or properly positioned in the machine.

Brake Mechanism form includes a drum 186 fixed to the shaft adjacent oneside of the machine frame. A pair of brake levers 187, each pivoted atone end on the frame 13, extend along opposite sides of the drum. Eachlever carries an arcuate shoe 188 of suitable friction materialengageable with the peripheral surface of the brake drum.

To maintain the frictional drag on the shaft 22, the brake levers areyieldably urged toward each other by suitable spring means. As shown,the free ends of the levers are apertured for the reception of a headedbolt 189. A washer 190 fitted on the bolt and abutting a nut 191threaded thereon defines an abutment for a compression spring 192 whichbears against the adjacent end of the lever, thus tending to swing thelevers together and clamp them against the brake drum. By varying theposition of the nut 191, the pressure exerted on the levers by thespring can be adjusted to provide precisely the required amount offriction on the brake drum for preventing shaft overrun.

Datz'ng Unit The dating unit 12 provided in the machine may be of anypreferred construction. It is conveniently mounted at one side of theperforating mechanism in position to apply a line of printing and a dateor other indicia on a document simultaneously with the perforation ofthe document as above described. As shown in FIG. 4, the unit includes aprinting head 195 mounted on and rotatable with the shaft 22 carryingthe punch unit. A platen roller 1% mounted on the shaft 27 andcontinuously driven by the belts 11f cooperates with the printing headfor impressing printed matter on the card or document being perforated.

Referring to FlGS. l4 and 15, the printing head 195 as herein showncomprises a pair of generally Z-shaped side members 197 each having acentral hub apertured to receive the shaft 22. The side members arepreferably nonrotatably secured to the shaft as by set screws 199.Supported between the members 197 and securing them together as a unitare a pair of type clamping members 200 each comprising a pair of metalstampings fashioned to define a transverse slot 201 for receiving andretaining movable type slugs 292 of rubber, metal or other suitablematerial.

The two type slots are located on sides of the shaft 22 to position themfor printing in alternate cycles of the machine. Supported on the sidemembers adjacent and parallel to the respective slots are a pair ofprinting bars 203 over which are trained a series of type bands 2414.Each of the bands also extends around a band wheel 2115 rotatablysupported on a shaft 2% carried between the side members 197. One bandwheel is provided for each type hand, there being four in the exemplarymachine. Preferably each of the band wheels is formed with a knurled rim2417 by which it can be turned manually to advance the associated bandand selectively position the type on the outer face of the bar 203 forprinting purposes. It will be observed that the outer corners of the bar293 are rounded to facilitate easy sliding movement of the band over thebar.

The exemplary printing unit is shown as equipped with four of the bands2%. These are equipped with type for printing the month, day and year asshown in FIG. 15. It will be evident that any reasonable number of thetype bands may be used and that they may be equipped with type for otherthan dating, as, for example, printing either numerals, letters orsymbols as preferred.

Inking mechanism 210 is provided for inking the type of the printinghead. The mechanism includes an ink roll 211 positioned to contact thetype faces as the printing head rotates. While this inking mechanism maybe of any suitable character, that shown is similar to the inkingmechanism illustrated in FIG. 11 and previously described.

Operation The operation of the improved perforator will bereadidiametrically opposite ly apparent from the foregoing detaileddescription. Briefly, a stack of the documents 90 to be perforated isplaced in the hopper 15 with the foremost document abutting the frontplate 91. The carriage 93 and associated back plate 92 are withdrawn forinsertion of the documents and, upon release, the carriage advances withthe front plate to press against the back of the stack, urging theentire stack in a forward position.

The machine is placed in operation by closure of the main switch S, thusstarting the motor M which rotates the driven member 65 of the clutch26. Through the drive train described, the feed mechanism is rotatedcontinuously and the feed roll 93 strips the foremost document 90 fromthe stack and advances it to the feed belts 110. The feed belts incooperation with the guide rolls 115 carry the document between thepunch roll and die roll 21 and discharge it into the hopper or receivingchamber 16. Immediately upon closure of the switch S a circuit iscompleted for charging the capacitor 188. As the first documentapproaches the perforating position it engages the trip arm 198 toactuate the switch mechanism 76. The switch mechanism interrupts thecharging circuit for the capacitor and connects the latter across thewinding of the solenoid SOL which becomes energized to retract the pawlmechanism 75. Retraction of the pawl mechanism withdraws the stop pawl165 from engagement with stop dog 163, thus releasing the clutch cage155 to the action of the spring 158 which rocks the cage in a directionto engage the clutch. Shaft 22 is accordingly driven to turn the punchand die members through a half-revolution in which the indicia set up onthe punches is perforated in the document. As the back end of thedocument leaves the trip arm 108, the switch mechanism 76 is reactuatedto close the charging circuit for the capacitor. Upon the advance of thenext document the trip arm is again actuated and the cycle repeated.

Simultaneously with the perforation, the date and other printed matterset up on the printing unit 12 is impressed on the document. Thelocation of the printed and perforated indicia laterally of the documentis determined by the adjustment of the side members 81, 82 of the feedhopper. Vertical location of the indicia is determined by the positionof the trip arm and the angular position of the printing head and punchcarrier on the shaft 22.

Operation of the machine continues until all sheets in the stack havebeen run through the machine. This is accomplished very quickly as thesheets move continuously from the feed hopper to the receiving chamber16, or, in other words, their travel is not interrupted during theperforating operation. This is made possible by the novel constructionand arrangement of the punch and die elements which are constructed witha particular view of enabling the punches to enter the die holes at anangle and to retract therefrom at an angle as the punch and die holdersare relatively rotated. Moreover, the punching is clean and sharpwithout embossing or bradding. Any small irregularities resulting fromthis operation are effectively removed by the ironing roll 125 beforethe document is deposited in the receiving chamber.

Slugs punched from the sheets or documents in the perforating processare removed from the perforating mechanism automatically andcontinuously and deposited in a tray conveniently accessible at one sideof the machine frame. Accumulation of the slugs that might interferewith clean perforating is thus avoided.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides aperforating machine of novel and advantageous construction. The machineis smooth and quiet in operation and capable of operating atsubstantially higher speeds than perforators as heretofore constructed.The arrangement for perforating without interrupting movement of thedocuments between the feed hopper and receiving chamber is an importantfactor in speeding up the output of the machine. The punching is cleanand accurate with a minimum of bradding and substantially no tearing ofthe sheet material. Any small irregularities are effectively removedbefore discharge of the perforated document.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a perforating machine for applying perforations to successivesheets of material, the combination comprising, a pair of cylindricalcarriers supported for intermittent rotation about parallel spaced axes,means for driving said carriers intermittently, means engaged by each ofsaid sheets for actuating said intermittent drive means in synchronismwith passage of the successive sheets of material, a series of punchelements mounted on and projecting radially from one of said carriers, acylindrical die plate mounted on the other of said carriers, said dieplate having a series of holes positioned to receive the punch elementsin the rotation of the carriers, and means for continuously feedingsuccessive sheets of material between said carriers, said punch elementsand said die plate in normally inoperative relation so that uponactuation of said intermittent drive means said punches and said dieplate cooperate to punch holes in said sheets of material in theirpassage between the carriers.

2. In a perforating machine for applying perforations to successivesheets of material, the combination comprising, a pair of cylindricalcarriers supported for intermittent rotation about parallel spaced axes,means for driving said carriers intermittently, means engaged by each ofsaid sheets for actuating said intermittent drive means in synchronismwith passage of the successive sheets of material, a series of punchelements mounted on and projecting radially from one of said carriers, acylindrical die plate mounted on the other of said carriers, said dieplate having a series of holes positioned to receive the punch elementsin the rotation of the carriers, a pair of rolls supported for rotationabout axes parallel to the rotational axes of said carriers, means forcontinuously feeding successive sheets of material between said carriersand between said rolls, said punch elements and said die plate innormally inoperative relation so that upon actuation of saidintermittent drive means said punches and said die plate cooperate topunch holes in said sheets of material in their passage between thecarriers, one of said pair of rolls being selectively movable intoengagement with the other roll of the pair and alternatively intoengagement with said die plate to sharpen the cutting edges of theplate, and spring means normally urging said one roll toward itscompanion roll with sutiicient force to smooth out any irregularities inthe sheet material resulting from the passing of the punchestherethrough.

3. In a perforating machine for applying perforations to successivesheets of material, the combination comprising, a pair of shaftssupported in parallel spaced relation, a pair of cylindrical carriersmounted on respective ones of said shafts for intermittent rotationabout parallel spaced axes, means for driving said carriersintermittently, means engaged by each of said sheets for actuating saidintermittent drive means in synchronism with passage of the successivesheets of material, a series of punch elements mounted on and projectingradially from one of said carriers, a cylindrical die plate mounted onthe other of said carriers, said die plate having a series of holespositioned to receive the punch elements in the rotation of thecarriers, means for feeding sheet material between said carriers forperforation by said punch elements and die plate, said sheet feedingmeans including a hopper operative to hold a stack of sheets to beperforated, a feed roll operative in its rotation for strippingsuccessive sheets from the stack in said hopper and advancing the sheetstoward said carriers, and feed belts operative to carry the sheetssuccessively between said carriers, said intermittent drive meansincluding a clutch having a driven element fixed to one of said shaftsand a continuously rotating driving element rotatably mounted on saidone shaft adjacent said driven element, and means connecting said clutchdriving element for continuously driving said feed roll and said feedbelts, said punch elements and said die plate in normally inoperativerelation so that upon actuation of said intermittent drive means saidpunches and said die plate cooperate to punch holes in said sheets ofmaterial in their passage between the carriers.

References Cited in the file of this patent 14 Cook Sept. 3, Swift May6, Paup Oct. 28, Holny June 2, Hallden Sept. 22, Cumfer June 7, PhelanJune 6, Tishken May 2, Sheperdson Mar. 12, Ellis Nov. 12, Hawley Nov.25, Antwerpen Apr. 18, Kane Dec. 16, Thompson Apr. 21, Gleason Oct. 20,Novick May 4, Spinner Feb. 12, Carter May 12, Howard Dec. 20,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Nov. 16, Germany Feb. 21, France Apr. 29, GreatBritain Jan. 16,

1. IN A PERFORATING MACHINE FOR APPLYING PERFORATIONS TO SUCCESSIVESHEETS OF MATERIAL, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING, A PAIR OF CYLINDRICALCARRIERS SUPPORTED FOR INTERMITTENT ROTATION ABOUT PARALLEL SPACED AXES,MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CARRIERS INTERMITTENTLY, MEANS ENGAGED BY EACH OFSAID SHEETS FOR ACTUATING SAID INTERMITTENT DRIVE MEANS IN SYNCHRONISMWITH PASSAGE OF THE SUCCESSIVE SHEETS OF MATERIAL, A SERIES OF PUNCHELEMENT MOUNTED ON AND PROJECTING RADIALLY FROM ONE OF SAID CARRIERS, ACYLINDRICAL DIE PLATE MOUNTED ON THE OTHER OF SAID CARRIERS, SAID DIEPLATE HAVING A SERIES OF HOLES POSITIONED TO RECEIVE THE PUNCH ELEMENTSIN THE ROTATION OF THE CARRIERS, AND MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY FEEDINGSUCCESSIVE SHEETS OF MATERIAL BETWEEN SAID CARRIERS, SAID PUNCH ELEMENTSAND SAID DIE PLATE IN NORMALLY INOPERATIVE RELATION SO THAT UPONACTUATION OF SAID INTERMITTENT DRIVE MEANS SAID PUNCHES AND SAID DIEPLATE COOPERATE TO PUNCH HOLES IN SAID SHEETS OF MATERIAL IN THEIRPASSAGE BETWEN THE CARRIERS.